Paralysed riders come together at Wetherby Races for Spinal Research

Grand National winning jockey Graham Lee and international equestrian Saffron Cresswell come from different horse riding disciplines but their lives were both changed in an instant after devastating falls.

In November, 2023, Graham was left paralysed from the neck down after being unseated from his mount at Newcastle Races. Six months later Saffron was paralysed from the chest down in a fall while competing at Bramham Horse Trials.

Next month they will both be at Wetherby Races for the opening jump meeting of the season to help raise awareness and vital funds for Spinal Research.

In his lengthy career North Yorkshire-based Graham rode more than 1,000 winners over jumps before switching to flat racing and completed the unique achievement of riding to victory in the Grand National at Aintree and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

“I’m delighted to be supporting Spinal Research and to be back at Wetherby. This has been an unbelievably tough time but Spinal Research has given me and my incredible family hope for the future and we want to do all we can to support their incredible work.” Graham Lee

One of his most famous feats was at Wetherby Racecourse’s 2003 autumn meeting when he won a quintuple of races, which secured a win of over £500,000 on a fivefold accumulator bet.

He said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Spinal Research and to be back at Wetherby. This has been an unbelievably tough time but Spinal Research has given me and my incredible family hope for the future and we want to do all we can to support their incredible work.”

Every two hours someone is paralysed in the UK after suffering a spinal cord injury with devastating consequences for them and their families. 

Promising equestrian Saffron Cresswell broke her back in two places and damaged her spinal cord in a cross country fall at Bramham Horse Trials in June 2024.

“When I instantly couldn’t feel my legs I understood straightaway what was happening and potentially how bad it was,” said the 24-year-old from Malvern, Worcestershire.

“It’s been really hard going from being so fit and focused on my career doing what I love to facing a very different future, but I’m positive and determined to find new goals and purpose,” added Saffron who has already tried wheelchair racing and disability tennis and is looking to build a new career as a presenter and inspirational speaker.

And she will be guest speaker at Wetherby Racecourse on Wednesday, October 15, for the annual Northern Raceday for Spinal Research. Other guests will include top eventer Ros Canter who won Olympic team gold at Paris last year and earlier this month successfully defended her Burgley Horse Trials title.

Now in its 35th year, Wetherby’s Northern Raceday for Spinal Research has raised over £800,000 for the charity.

Tickets for the day include a champagne reception, three course lunch, prize auction and raffle in the exclusive Spinal Research Marquee located in the heart of the action right next to the Parade Ring and Winner’s Enclosure. 

To find out more and buy tickets go to https://tickets.wetherbyracing.co.uk/sales/fixtures/wednesday-15th-october-2025/the-opening-meeting-supporting